The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-05-05
"Realy, Maud, that is toe

muchv'
"Oh. mama. anything to keep him
quiet and good-tempered," said Maud.
"And you know he was to have taken
tea with us.
but if he should burn the house
down smoking them" anxouSly sug-
gested her mother.
"Well, perhaps it is safer to give him
something 10 use his matches with. " an
swered Maud. with mastery stroke
of logic "And they always do have
Matches" she concluded indefinitely.
Her reasoning carried the day. so the
cigars went up and the rope came down,
for this was point on which Maud was
firm. She had no intention of leaving
that rope in their burglarious visitor 5
possession.
The evening waned, and still there
was no sign of Peters return. The
two ladies did not dream OF sleeping.
but kept watch throughout the night
in the room adjoining that of their prs-
oner, bracing themselves with strong
tea for their task. 1t was weary work.
however, and the minutes crept slowly
into the small hours.
The hall clock had just struck the
quarter before two, when the silence
of the house was disturbed by n little
sound which seemed preternaturhlly
loud to their strained ears. Mrs. Esta-
brook sat erect to listen, while Maud
turned up the glmmering lamp.
Again came the sound. slight but DIS
tnct. scratch, scratch-iilc, file.
MAUD, what is that noseg" said
Mrs. Estabrook. with the calmness of
despair Maud declined to commit her
self prematurcly.
Maud" said her mother again,
''its down at the piazza window. It's
it's confederate of that man in
there! Oh, don't tell me! | hnow"
Maud frowned thoughtfully. Her
mothers idea seemed only too plausible.
Hell get in and let the other one
out" pursued Mrs. EStabrook. breath
Iessly; land then they'll go through
the ouse, and rob and murder us all.
Oh dear! Oh-h"
Don't mamma dear! pray DON'T"
entreated Maud, rs the poor lady, over
whelmed by her own picture, showed
signs of becoming hysterical. and utter.
ed several small screams. Upon this,
the occupant of the next room. who
hitherto had given no signs of life, be-
gan to knock upon the door between
the two chambers. Maud drew near
and the following conversation took
place.
"Miss Estabrook!'
yes"
"Excuse me, but is anything wrong?"
Maud hesitated. Mrs. Estabrook
meantime had checked herself. and was
holding her breath to listen. Receiving
no answer, she presently spoke again.
what is that noise | hear down.
stairs?'
1--WE don't know" said Maud
"but-"
"But what9 Is that what is alarming
youP"
Maud considered. I'VE are afraid
it is IA burglar.
"What! Another" exclaimed the
stranger. Then he checked himself
Don't you think you'd better send me
to dispose of hm9" he suggested. with
an admirable assumption of the bold
ness of innocence.
"MaudP" sharply protested Mrs.
Estabrook.
lone moment, mamma" rejoined
her daughter, 81 am not sure" She
turnet to the door again. You arc
quite certain he is not an-an-an as
sIstant of yours?" sho asked, in the
politest terms she could select.
"Let me out, and you shall see. Upon
my honor" Here the words were
lost in stiiled sound.
''ls the man laughing?" demanded
Mrs. Estabrook, in angry amaze, then,
as new suspicion entered her mind.
\ Maud, do YOU believe he is exactly in
his right mindP"
Il don't think he can be-" Maud
answered, doubtfully; but seeing her
mothers growing alarm, she fastened
to add but we evidently have GER
tan control over him, and-really,
mamma, | don't know but it would be
! better 10 let him drive the other away.
No. but hear me out. They can't be
accomplces, and if we must be in the
power of either. why, would much
sooner trust this one. He is far supe-
rior to ordinary burglars" concluded
Maud. with fine air of conno.sseur-
ship in this particular branch of the
dangerous classes.
Her opinion, as usual. prevailed, and
their prisoner was informed that if he
would not move until given time he
should be released. AS he readily
agreed to the conditions, the girl stole
out into the passage, turned the key
very softly. and then flew back into her
own room. which she locked in hot